Rusbult’s Investment Model of Commitment

Question 1

Real-world application of the model:

Answer 1

-Rusbult’s Investment model is said to be particularly useful in understanding the maintenance of abusive relationships.
-It may be difficult for many to comprehend why a person would stay in a relationship involving intimate partner violence (IPV) however Rusbult’s model gives a robust explanation.
-Rusbult & Martz (1995) found in a
study of women at a shelter, for most, satisfaction in their relationships was very low,
however for some of them they perceived high investment and few credible alternatives.
-As the model predicts, the women who perceived their relationship in these terms were more ‘committed’ to it regardless of the abuse and therefore continued in relationship. -Thus, wider application of this model is in the therapeutic support of the victims of IPV.
-e.g., cognitive reframing, particularly of CLalt, may help individuals to make more rational
decisions in staying or leaving an abusive relationship.

Question 2

Problems measuring components:

Answer 2

-One of the main issues with the model is satisfaction,
CLalt, investment and hence commitment, cannot be quantitatively measured which
undermines its scientific credibility. -In answer to this, Rusbult constructed an ‘Investment
Model Scale’, a 29-item scale measuring the four components. -Although the scale relies on
self-report, it has been found to be both highly reliable and valid. -Furthermore, it is argued
that when determining level of satisfaction, CLalt and investment, it is reasoned they must be
measured subjectively as it is the perceived experience of the relationship which determines
the overall commitment.
-Thus, although the use of such methods may introduce bias into the findings, it is argued there is no better alternative to measuring someone’s perception of a
relationship.
-Therefore, it appears the model remains robust in explaining relationships despite being challenged scientifically

Question 3

Oversimplifies investment:

Answer 3

-One weakness of the investment model is that it fails to consider
future investments.
-Goodfriend and Agnew (2008) argue that there is more to investment than the resources you have already put into the relationship.
-Early in a relationship partners
make very few actual investments, but they do invest in future plans. It is future plans that motivate partners to commit so that the plans can become reality.
-This means that the original model is a limited explanation as it fails to consider the true complexity of investment.